Music News Digest: Owen Riegling Wins Big at 2026 CMAOntario Awards

Rising country star Owen Riegling won three trophies at the 14th annual CMAOntario Awards, held on May 31 at Port Credit Memorial Arena. Notching two wins apiece were Sacha, Jessica Sevier, and James Barker Band and, for the first time in CMAOntario history, there was a tie for breakthrough artist of the Year with Tyler Lorette and Jessica Sevier sharing the title.

Hosted by award-winning Ontario country artist Jason Blaine and Country Nights host Sam McDaid, the awards show closed out the weekend, which also included a festival, with performances by Riegling, Sully Burrows, Olivia Mae Graham, Sevier, Elyse Saunders, School House, Lorette, Cory Marks, Les Rats d’Swompe and the CMAOntario house band The Western Swing Authority.

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2026 CMAOntario Awards Winners:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Owen Riegling - “Taillight this Town”

ALBUM/EP OF THE YEAR
Sacha - Woman in the Mirror

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Jessica Sevier, Robyn Ottolini, Derek Hoffman - “Good to Drive”

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Sacha

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Owen Riegling

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
James Barker Band

RECORD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Adam Newcomb - I Ain’t Thinkin’ (Tyler Lorette)

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
School House

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jessica Sevier
Tyler Lorette

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Sully Burrows - “Rally Around”

INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR
Christine Wiley & Christine Stevens, C to C Music Insider

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Ryan Cassar

ARTISTE OU GROUPE FRANCOPHONE DE L'ANNÉE
FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Kristine St-Pierre

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (LARGE MARKET)
CHKX (KX 94.7), Hamilton

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (MEDIUM MARKET)
CFWC (HOT COUNTRY 93.9), Brantford

RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR (SMALL MARKET)
CKYY (Country 89), Welland

HOLLY & STEVE KASSAY GENEROUS SPIRIT AWARD
Laurie Tiggelman

COMPASS AWARD
James Barker Band

FANS’ CHOICE
Owen Riegling

Festivals News

The 21st edition of major American rock festival Riot Fest returns to Douglass Park, Chicago, September 18-20 ,with a lineup that features some CanCon in the form of Alanis Morissette and buzz band of the year Angine de Poitrine. They join the likes of Tool, Twenty One Pilots, Morrissey, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Pixies, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, The All-American Rejects, NAS, Patti Smith & Her Band, Sugar, Social Distortion, Bad Religion, Sex Pistols, Public Image LTD and Tricky.

– The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 2016 edition, July 17-19, at Jericho Beach Park.The weekend kicks off Friday evening with an opening ceremony featuring Thelma Stogan, followed by sets from Aysanabee, Hazlett and Sahra Halgan. Saturday's marquee performers include Tami Neilson, Billy Bragg and Ruby Waters, while collaborative sessions such as Global Ties That Bind and Stories from Across the Pond are also featured.

The closing Sunday lineup includes performances from Maruja Limón, Valerie June and BIM (Benin International Musical), alongside workshops including Rise Up and Sing!, Trad-ically Hip, We Be Jammin' and Rock Out. Other artists on the bill include Haley Blais, Lindi Ortega, Surf Hat, Cousin Harley, Empanadas Ilegales, Ruby Singh & The Future Ancestors, The Slocan Ramblers, Brighde Chaimbeul, Kazdoura and Yagódy. More info here.

– The Donaldson's Home County Music & Art Festival has announced the lineup for its 50th anniversary celebration, returning to Victoria Park in London, Ontario, on July 24 and 25. It comprises a musically eclectic roster of acclaimed Canadian artists headed by pioneering Indigenous electronic music pioneers The Halluci Nation and indie-folk favourites The Rural Alberta Advantage. Also in the lineup are Boogát, Wyatt C. Louis, Ariel Posen, Alysha Brilla, Nicolette & The Nobodies, The Bookends, Emily Garber, School House and Emma Lamontagne and folk/roots veterans Valdy and Ken Whiteley (Valdy performed at the inaugural Home County Folk Festival in 1974).

New for 2026, the festival will also feature the UNESCO City of Music Stage, presented in partnership with the London Music Office. Artists on this stage will include TAURO (featuring Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene), SD Henhawke, Jonathan Williams and Lua Sol. More info here.

Industry News

Presented by new Indigenous arts company Indian & Cowboy Creative Media, the Festival of Stories in Hamilton runs June 11-13. Held in the Indian & Cowboy Studio at the King John Building (62 King St. East), the five show event, coinciding with Indigenous Peoples Month, comprises live podcast recordings, true crime stories, comedy and a conversation about reconciliation. Kicking off the fest on June 11 is a live podcast recording of Tom Wilson's Best F*kin Story that will showcase the storytelling ability of famed roots-rocker, visual artist and author Tom Wilson (Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse). Tickets here.

Of note: Indian & Cowboys founder and arts curator Madeline Wilson Shaw is Tom's daughter. Her life partner, Anishinaabe comedian, writer, and keynote speaker Ryan McMahon, is the other founder of the company. He delivers a solo conversation about what reconciliation has actually delivered, How's That Land Acknowledgement Treating You, Anyways?, on June 12, and the couple then collaborate on the podcast ''We're All Mad Here'' (also June 12). More info here.

– The National Music Centre has revealed the updated version of its award-winning Speak Up! exhibit on June 17 at Studio Bell in Calgary. This year, the exhibit will feature Tudjaat, Crystal Shawanda, Andrea Menard, Jerry Alfred, and Stoney Park Singers.
On National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), NMC will also host a free live event with host David McLeod, curator of NMC’s Speak Up! exhibit, and performances by throat-singing duo Tudjaat, Métis singer-songwriter Black Crow Funk and electronic artist sean beaver

Artists News

Given the busy schedules of its members, gigs by Toronto/Hamilton instrumental outfit C&C Surf Factory are few and far between, but they are to be treasured. This is a genuine Canadian supergroup in that the lineup includes two members of Blue Rodeo (drummer Glenn Milchem and guitarist Colin Cripps) plus guitar ace Champagne James Robertson (Junkhouse, MOONRIIVR, Dwayne Gretzky). Led by the dual guitar attack of Cripps and CJR, the band's sound does draw on surf rock, but includes elements of twang, spaghetti western soundtracks and at times, to these ears, the Allman Brothers. Thoroughly inventive and entertaining. No surprise to see a strong contingent of musicians in the crowd at Hamilton's Ridiculous club last Thursday, including Tom and Thompson Wilson (Junkhouse), Jesse O'Brien, Jack Syperek of The Trews, Chris Houston, Darryl Gould and Ronley Teper. A sweet treat.

– Veteran and much-loved jazz singer-songwriter Molly Johnson hosts an album release event for her genre-hopping new record, Talk To Me, at Toronto’s El Mocambo on July 16. Billed as ''an evening of music, conversation and connection,' the event will feature a conversation between Johnson and El Mocambo executive director Mike Chalut, an audience Q&A, and a 75-minute live performance showcasing songs from Talk To Me alongside earlier Johnson favourites. Guests on Johnson's new album (officially releasing June 26) include Jim Cuddy and Haviah Mighty. Show tickets here.